Liquid neurotoxin formulation stabilized with tryptophan or tyrosine

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to stable liquid neurotoxin formulations which are free of animal proteins, comprising a surfactant, an amino acid selected from tryptophan and tyrosine, a buffer comprising sodium, chloride and phosphate ions, which have a pH between 5.5 and 8, and which are stable for 2 months. These compositions are suitable for use in therapy and in particular for administration to a patient to achieve a desired therapeutic or aesthetic effect. The invention also relates to the use of an amino acid selected from tryptophan and tyrosine to protect a proteinaceous neurotoxin from degradation in a liquid composition which is free of animal derived proteins.

The present invention relates to animal protein free liquid neurotoxin formulations. In particular, the present invention relates to animal protein free liquid botulinum neurotoxin formulations stabilized with non proteinaceous excipients.

The neurotoxin formulations described herein are suitable for use in therapy and in particular for administration to a patient to achieve a desired therapeutic or aesthetic effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clostridial neurotoxins naturally produced by clostridial strains are the most toxic biological agents known to date and at the same time are powerful tools for the treatment of a number of neuromuscular and endocrine disorders, including cervical dystonia, spasticity, blepharospasm, hyperhidrosis or sialorrhea. They also find uses in the aesthetic field for the smoothing of wrinkles.

In order to be suitable for use as a pharmaceutical product, a neurotoxin composition must be such that it can be stored without significant loss of neurotoxin activity.

In all currently approved formulations of botulinum neurotoxins, an animal (including human) protein, usually human serum albumin (HSA), is used as a stabiliser.

The presence of animal proteins such as HSA in pharmaceutical compositions is however undesirable because of the risk, even if low, of unwillingly transmitting animal borne infectious agents such as prions to a patient.

Animal protein free botulinum toxin formulations have been disclosed in the art. For example, WO0158472 describes lyophilized compositions in which a polysaccharide, such as 2-hydroxyethyl starch is used to stabilize a botulinum toxin. WO2005007185 describes compositions in which a surface active substance, and a mixture of at least two amino acids selected from Glu and Gin or Asp and Asn are used to stabilize a botulinum toxin.

Most prior art formulations are however not stable in liquid form and are therefore stored in lyophilized or freeze-dried form. Such formulations need to be reconstituted by the physician in a sterile saline solution before administration to a patient. This reconstitution step is associated with a loss of physician time, a risk of a dilution error and also a risk of contamination during the reconstitution process. The botulinum toxin provider must also train the physicians in order to ensure that the reconstitution step is performed adequately.

Liquid formulations are therefore advantageous as they obviate the loss of time for the physician, the risk of a dilution error, the contamination risk and the need for providing training for the provider.

Liquid HSA-free formulations are described for example in WO2006005910 which discloses liquid botulinum toxin formulations comprising a surfactant, sodium chloride and a disaccharide. WO2009008595 discloses liquid botulinum toxin formulations comprising polysorbate 20 and methionine.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide advantageous liquid animal protein free botulinum neurotoxin formulations, which are suitable for storage and for use in therapy. In particular, the stabilizing formulation should maintain product stability, be free of animal proteins and also be suitable for stabilising a neurotoxin which is free of complexing proteins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention is a liquid composition comprising or consisting essentially of a proteinaceous neurotoxin, a surfactant, an amino acid selected from tryptophan and tyrosine, a buffer comprising sodium, chloride and phosphate ions, which has a pH between 5.5 and 8, which is stable over time and which is free of animal derived proteins.

Another aspect is the use of the liquid compositions according to the invention in therapy and/or in cosmetics.

A further aspect of the present invention is the use of an amino acid selected from tryptophan and tyrosine to protect a proteinaceous neurotoxin from degradation in a liquid composition which is free of animal derived proteins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention is a liquid composition comprising or consisting essentially of a proteinaceous neurotoxin, a surfactant, an amino acid selected from tryptophan and tyrosine, a buffer comprising sodium, chloride and phosphate ions, which has a pH between 5.5 and 8, which is stable over time and which is free of animal derived proteins.

“Animal protein free” is to be understood as comprising no protein of animal, including human, origin.

A neurotoxin is a substance that targets a nerve cell and affects a neurological function. Proteinaceous neurotoxins include botulinum toxins (BoNT) and tetanus toxin (TeNT). Preferably, the proteinaceous neurotoxin is a botulinum neurotoxin.

Botulinum neurotoxins are 150 kDa metalloproteases that consist in their active form of a 50 kDa light chain (L) and a 100 kDa heavy chain (H) linked by a disulfide bridge. The L chain is a zinc-protease which intracellular{circumflex over ( )} cleaves one of the SNARE (Soluble NSF Attachment Protein REceptor) proteins involved in vesicle mediated neurotransmitter release, thereby disrupting neurotransmitter mediated mechanisms. The heavy chain encompasses two domains: an N-terminal 50 kDa translocation domain (H_(N)), and a C-terminal 50 kDa receptor-binding domain (He). The H_(c) domain of a botulinum neurotoxin comprises two distinct structural features that are referred to as the H_(C)c and H_(CN) domains. Amino acid residues involved in receptor binding are believed to be primarily located in the H_(C)c domain.

Botulinum neurotoxins have been classified in 7 antigenically distinct serotypes (A to G). Exemplary amino acid sequences for each serotype are provided herein as SEQ ID NO 1 to 7.

For each of the sequences, the different domains can for example be as follow.

Serotype L chain H_(N) domain _(H O) _(N) domain H_(CC) domain BoNT/A 1-448 449-871 872-1110 1111-1296 (SEQ ID NO 1) BoNT/B 1-440 441-858 859-1097 1098-1291 (SEQ ID NO 2) BoNT/C 1-441 442-866 867-1111 1112-1291 (SEQ ID NO 3) BoNT/D 1-445 446-862 863-1098 1099-1276 (SEQ ID NO 4) BoNT/E 1-422 423-845 846-1085 1086-1252 (SEQ ID NO 5) BoNT/F 1-439 440-864 865-1105 1106-1274 (SEQ ID NO 6) BoNT/G 1-441 442-863 864-1105 1106-1297 (SEQ ID NO 7)

The skilled person will appreciate that there can be some variation in each of the botulinum neurotoxin domains.

BoNTs act for example on neuromuscular nerve junctions by preventing release of acetylcholine and thereby preventing muscular contraction. Nerve terminal intoxication is reversible and its duration varies for different BoNT serotypes.

Natural BoNTs are produced by Clostridium botulinum, and other Clostridial species such as C. butyricum, C. baratii and C. argentinense as part of multi-protein complexes that protect the neurotoxin from proteolytic degradation. By “botulinum neurotoxin in complex form” is meant a botulinum neurotoxin and one or more of the proteins which are part in nature of such multi-protein complexes (neurotoxin-associated proteins or “NAPs”). NAPs include non-toxic non-hemagglutinin (NTN H) protein and hemagglutinin proteins (HA-17, HA-33, and HA-70). By “high purity botulinum neurotoxin” is meant a botulinum neurotoxin essentially free of NAPs.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the botulinum neurotoxin is a botulinum neurotoxin in complex form. According to another embodiment, the botulinum neurotoxin is a high purity botulinum neurotoxin.

Method for producing BoNTs through culture of natural clostridial strains and purifying them either in complex form or high purity form are well known in the art and are described for example in Pickett, Andy. “Botulinum toxin as a clinical product: manufacture and pharmacology.” Clinical Applications of Botulinum Neurotoxin. Springer New York, 2014. 7-49.

High purity or essentially pure botulinum neurotoxin can be obtained from a protein complex comprising botulinum toxin for example according to the method described in Current topics in Microbiology and Immunology (1995), 195, p. 151-154.

Alternatively, high purity botulinum neurotoxin can be produced by recombinant expression of a BoNT gene in a heterologous host such as E. coli and purified therefrom.

Preferably, the proteinaceous neurotoxin is a botulinum neurotoxin. According to an embodiment of the invention, the botulinum neurotoxin is a botulinum neurotoxin in complex form. According to another embodiment, the botulinum neurotoxin is a high purity botulinum neurotoxin.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the botulinum neurotoxin is a botulinum neurotoxin purified from its natural clostridial strain. According to another embodiment, botulinum neurotoxin is a botulinum neurotoxin produced recombinantly in a heterologous host such as E. COIL

According to the present invention, the Botulinum neurotoxin can be a BoNT of serotype A, B, C, D, E, For G.

According to the present invention, a botulinum neurotoxin can be a modified botulinum neurotoxin. According to the present invention, a “modified BoNT” is a BoNT which has an amino acid sequence which has at least 50% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. Preferably, a modified BoNT has an amino acid sequence which has at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. Preferably, a modified BoNT is a BoNT whose amino acid sequence differs from SEQ ID NO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 by less than 600, 400, 200, 150, 100, 50 or 20 amino acid substitutions, deletions or additions, for example by 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 amino acid substitutions, deletions or additions.

According to the present invention, a recombinant botulinum neurotoxin can be a chimeric botulinum neurotoxin. According to the present invention, a “chimeric BoNT” is constituted by an L, H_(N), H_(c) _(N) , and H_(c) _(c) domain which do not all belong to the same serotype. For example a chimeric BoNT can consist of an L chain from one serotype and a full H chain (H_(N), H_(c) _(N) , and H_(c) _(c) domains) from a different serotype. A chimeric BoNT can also consist of an L chain and an H_(N) domain (“LH_(N)”) from one serotype and an H_(C) domain (H_(CN) and H_(C) _(c) ) from a different serotype. A chimeric BoNT can also consist of an L chain and H_(N) and H_(CN) domains (“extended LH_(N)”) from one serotype and an H_(C) _(c) domain from a different serotype.

According to the invention a Light chain domain (L) can have an amino acid sequence which has at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 95% sequence identity to one of the following amino acid sequences and which retains the ability to cleave one of the SNARE proteins involved in vesicle mediated neurotransmitter release:

-   -   Amino acid 1-448 of SEQ ID NO:I     -   Amino acid 1-440 of SEQ ID NO:2     -   Amino acid 1-441 of SEQ ID NO:3     -   Amino acid 1-445 of SEQ ID NO:4     -   Amino acid 1-422 of SEQ ID NO:5     -   Amino acid 1-439 of SEQ ID NO:6     -   Amino acid 1-441 of SEQ ID NO:7

According to the invention an H_(N) domain can have an amino acid sequence which has at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 95% sequence identity to one of the following amino acid sequences and which retains a translocation ability:

-   -   Amino acid 449-871 of SEQ ID NO:I     -   Amino acid 441-858 of SEQ ID NO:2     -   Amino acid 442-866 of SEQ ID NO:3     -   Amino acid 446-862 of SEQ ID NO:4     -   Amino acid 423-845 of SEQ ID NO:5     -   Amino acid 440-864 of SEQ ID NO:6     -   Amino acid 442-863 of SEQ ID NO:7

According to the invention an H_(c) domain can have an amino acid sequence which has at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 95% sequence identity to one of the following amino acid sequences and which retains the ability to bind to a neuromuscular cell:

-   -   Amino acid 872-1296 of SEQ ID NO:I     -   Amino acid 859-1291 of SEQ ID NO:2     -   Amino acid 867-1291 of SEQ ID NO:3     -   Amino acid 863-1276 of SEQ ID NO:4     -   Amino acid 846-1252 of SEQ ID NO:5     -   Amino acid 865-1274 of SEQ ID NO:6     -   Amino acid 864-1297 of SEQ ID NO:7

According to the invention an H_(C)c domain can have an amino acid sequence which has at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 95% sequence identity to one of the following amino acid sequences and which retains the ability to bind to a neuromuscular cell:

-   -   Amino acid 1111-1296 of SEQ ID NO:I     -   Amino acid 1098-1291 of SEQ ID NO:2     -   Amino acid 1112-1291 of SEQ ID NO:3     -   Amino acid 1099-1276 of SEQ ID NO:4     -   Amino acid 1086-1252 of SEQ ID NO:5     -   Amino acid 1106-1274 of SEQ ID NO:6     -   Amino acid 1106-1297 of SEQ ID NO:7

The above-identified reference sequences should be considered as a guide, as slight variations may occur according to sub-serotypes.

The “percent sequence identity” between two or more nucleic acid or amino acid sequences is a function of the number of identical nucleotides/amino acids at identical positions shared by the aligned sequences. Thus, % identity may be calculated as the number of identical nucleotides/amino acids at each position in an alignment divided by the total number of nucleotides/amino acids in the aligned sequence, multiplied by 100. Calculations of % sequence identity may also take into account the number of gaps, and the length of each gap that needs to be introduced to optimize alignment of two or more sequences. Sequence comparisons and the determination of percent identity between two or more sequences can be carried out using specific mathematical algorithms, such as BLAST, which will be familiar to a skilled person.

Surfactants (or surface active agents) are compounds that are able to lower the surface tension between a liquid and a solid or between two liquids. Surfactants can be non-ionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric. In the compositions according to the invention, the surfactant is preferably a non-ionic surfactant. Non-ionic surfactants include Polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, such as Octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether or Pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether; Polyoxypropylene glycol alkyl ethers; Glucoside alkyl ethers, such as Decyl glucoside, Lauryl glucoside or Octyl glucoside; Polyoxyethylene glycol octylphenol ethers, such as Triton X-100; Polyoxyethylene glycol alkylphenol ethers, such as Nonoxynol-9; Glycerol alkyl esters, such as Glyceryl laurate; Polyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl esters, such as Polysorbates; Sorbitan alkyl esters, such as Spans; Cocamide MEA, cocamide DEA; Dodecyldimethylamine oxide; Block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, such as Poloxamers; Polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA).

According to a preferred embodiment, the liquid composition according to the invention comprises a non-ionic surfactant which is a polysorbate, preferably polysorbate 20 (PS20), polysorbate 60 (PS60) or polysorbate 80 (PS80). Most preferably, the non-ionic surfactant is PS80. When the surfactant is a polysorbate, its concentration is preferably from 0.001% to 15% v/v, more preferably from 0.005 to 2% v/v, more preferably still from 0.01 to 1% for example 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 or 1% v/v. According to one embodiment, the surfactant is PS80 at a concentration from 0.05 to 0.2% v/v, for example about 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.10, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19 or 0.20% v/v.

PS20 has a density of approximately 1.1 g/mL. PS60 has a density of approximately 1.044 g/mL. PS80 has a density of approximately 1.06 to 1.09 g/mL.

Polysorbates are believed to form micelles and prevent adsorption of proteins to surfaces and protein aggregation. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that upon degradation/oxidation, polysorbates may form peroxides and acids that may have an effect on protein stability. Therefore, it is considered preferable that the concentration of polysorbate be as low as possible in the formulation of the product. It is therefore considered preferable that the concentration of polysorbate should not exceed 200 times its critical micellar concentration (CMC), more preferably it should not exceed 100, 50, 20, 10 or 5 times its CMC.

For PS20 (Mw 1227.5 g/mol), the CMC is approximatively 8×10⁻⁵ M at 21° C., i.e. approximately 0.01% w/v.

For PS60 (Mw 1309 g/mol), the CMC is approximately 21×10⁻⁶ M at 21° C., i.e. approximately 0.003% w/v.

For PS80 (Mw 1310 g/mol), the CMC is approximatively 12×10⁻⁶ M at 21° C., i.e. approximately 0.002% w/v.

According to a preferred embodiment, the polysorbate concentration is between 1 and 200 times its CMC at a given temperature, for example about 21° C., preferably between 2 and 100 times its CMC, for example about 20 or 50 times its CMC.

The liquid composition according to the invention comprises an amino acid which is tryptophan or tyrosine. Without willing to be bound by theory, it is hypothesized that tryptophan or tyrosine can prevent oxidation of the active protein which would render it non-functional. Indeed, it is thought that the amino acid added in molar excess over the neurotoxin will be oxidized in the first place, saving the neurotoxin. It is also hypothesized that tryptophan or tyrosine can neutralize reactive degradation products of surfactants such as polysorbates.

Preferably the amino acid is tryptophan. More preferably, the amino acid is L-tryptophan.

The amino acid concentration is preferably from about 0.1 to 5 mg/mL, more preferably between 0.1 and 5 mg/mL, from 0.25 and 3 mg/mL for example about 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 or 3 mg/mL.

The composition according to the invention comprises a buffer which comprises sodium, chloride and phosphate ions. The inventors indeed surprisingly found that buffers without sodium, chloride and phosphate ions lowered the stability of the toxin. Preferably the buffer also comprises potassium ions.

The buffer can for example be obtained by combining sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium phosphate salts. The sodium chloride concentration is preferably from 10 to 500 mM, preferably from about 25 to 300 mM, for example about 25, 50, 75, 100, 140, 150, 200, 250 or 300 mM.

The sodium phosphate concentration is preferably from 1 to 100 mM, preferably from 2 to 50 mM, for example about 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 mM.

The potassium chloride concentration is preferably from 1 to 50 mM, preferably from 1 to 10 mM for example about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 mM.

The composition according to the invention has a pH between 5.5 and 8. According to a preferred embodiment, the pH is between 6.0 and 7.5, for example about 6.3, 6.35, 6.4, 6.45, 6.5, 6.55, 6.6, 6.65, 6.7, 6.75, 6.8, 6.85, 6.9, 6.95, 7.0, 7.05, 7.1, 7.15, 7.2, 7.25, 7.3, 7.35, 7.4, 7.45 or 7.5. Preferably the pH is within one unit from physiological pH (which is around 7.4).

The composition according to the invention is liquid. The composition preferably comprises an aqueous diluent, more preferably water, for example sterile water, water for injection, purified water, sterile water for injection.

Preferably the formulation is isotonic and is suitable for injection to a patient, in particular a human patient.

The quantity of botulinum neurotoxin is commonly expressed in mouse LD50 (lethal dose 50) units, defined as the median lethal intraperitoneal dose in mice.

The mouse LD50 (MLD50) unit for botulinum toxins is not a standardised unit. Indeed, assays used by different manufacturers of marketed toxins differ in particular in the choice of dilution buffer. For example the test used for Dysport uses gelatine phosphate buffer, whereas the assay used for BOTOX® uses saline as a diluent. It is believed that gelatine buffers protect the toxin at the high dilutions used in LD50 assays. In contrast the use of saline as a diluent is thought to lead to some loss of potency. This could explain why when tested with the Dysport® assay, one BOTOX® unit is equivalent to approximately three units of Dysport (Straughan, D. W., 2006, ATLA 34(3), 305-313; Hambleton and Pickett, Hambleton, P., and A. M. Pickett., 1994, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 87.11: 719).

Preferably, the dilution buffer used to determine the mouse LD50 is a gelatine phosphate buffer. For example, the mouse LD50 can be determined as described in Hambleton, P. et al. Production, purification and toxoiding of Clostridium botulinum type A toxin. Eds. G. E Jr Lewis, and P. s. Angel. Academic Press, Inc., New York, USA, 1981, p. 248. Briefly, botulinum toxin samples are serially diluted in 0.2% (w/v) gelatine 0.07M Na2HP04 buffer at pH 6.5. Groups of mice (eg 4 to 8 mice per group) weighing about 20 g are injected intraperitoneally with a sample of diluted toxin (for example 0.5 ml per animal). Dilution groups, for example 5 dilution groups, are selected to span the 50% lethality dose. The mice are observed for up to 96 hours and the mouse lethal dose 50 (MLD50) is estimated.

The composition according to the invention preferably comprises from 4 to 10000 LD50 units of botulinum neurotoxin per mL, more preferably from 10 to 2000 LD50 units of botulinum neurotoxin per mL, for example 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 or 1500 LD50 units of botulinum neurotoxin per mL.

The quantity of botulinum neurotoxin can also be expressed in ng. The composition according to the invention preferably comprises from about 0.01 to 75 ng of botulinum neurotoxin per mL, more preferably from about 0.03 to 20 ng botulinum neurotoxin per mL, more preferably still from about 0.1 to 15 ng botulinum neurotoxin per mL, for example about 0.15, 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 ng botulinum neurotoxin per mL.

The formulation according to the invention is animal protein free. In particular, the compositions according to the invention comprise no albumin, and in particular no human serum albumin. Preferably, the composition according to the invention is animal product free, meaning that they comprise no constituent of animal (including human) origin. Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises no protein other than the proteinaceous neurotoxin. According to another embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises no protein other than the proteinaceous neurotoxin and one or more NAPs (neurotoxin-associated proteins). For the sake of doubt, it is noted amino acids are not proteins.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises no saccharides, including no monosaccharides, no disaccharides and no polysaccharides.

The liquid composition according to the invention is stable over time. For example, it is stable for 2 months at 2 to 8° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 3 months at 2 to 8° C., for example at 5° C. According to a preferred embodiment, it is stable for 6 months at 2 to 8° C., for example at 5° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 12 months at 2 to 8° C., for example at 5° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 18 months at 2 to 8° C., for example at 5° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 24 months at 2 to 8° C., for example at 5° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 36 months at 2 to 8° C., for example at 5° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 3 months at room temperature, for example at 25° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 6 months at room temperature, for example at 25° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 2 months at 37° C.

The liquid composition according to the invention is preferably stored at a temperature between 0° and 30° C. In a preferred embodiment it is stored at 2-8° C., for example at 5° C. In another embodiment, it is stored at room temperature. Preferably it is not frozen.

Stability can be assessed through comparison of the activity of the botulinum neurotoxin over time. Activity of the botulinum neurotoxin may refer to the ability of the activity of the botulinum neurotoxin to bind to its target receptor on a cell, to translocate the light chain into a cell, and/or to cleave its target SNARE protein.

Methods for measuring Botulinum neurotoxin activity are well known in the art. Botulinum neurotoxin activity can be assessed for example by using a mouse lethality assay (LD50) as described above, a muscle tissue based assay such as the mouse phrenic nerve hemidiaphragm assay (for example as described in Bigalke, H. and Rummel A., Toxins 7.12 (2015):4895-4905), a cell based assay (for example as described in WO201349508 or in WO2012166943) or an extracellular proteolytic activity assay such as BoTest® (Botulinum Neurotoxin Detection Kit available from BioSentinel Inc.).

Preferably, a composition according to the invention is considered stable if there is no more than a given percentage of loss of activity over a given period of time and at a given temperature.

According to one embodiment, a composition according to the invention is considered stable if there is no more than 30% loss in extracellular proteolytic activity over 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 or 36 months at 2 to 8° C., for example no more than 30% loss in extracellular proteolytic activity over 6 months at 5° C. Preferably, a composition according to the invention is considered stable if there is no more than 20% loss in extracellular proteolytic activity over 3 months at 5° C., more preferably over 6, 12, 18, 24 or 36 months at 5° C. According to another embodiment, a composition according to the invention is considered stable if there is no more than 40% loss in extracellular proteolytic activity over 3 months at room temperature, for example at 25° C. Preferably, a composition according to the invention is considered stable if there is no more than 30% loss in extracellular proteolytic activity over 3 months at 25° C., more preferably over 6 months at 25° C. According to another embodiment, a composition according to the invention is considered stable if there is no more than 50% loss in extracellular proteolytic activity over 2 months at 37° C. Extracellular proteolytic activity can be measured with the BoTest® assay.

According to one embodiment, a composition according to the invention is considered stable if there is no more than 30% loss in MLD50 units over 2, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 or 36 months at 2 to 8° C., for example no more than 30% loss in MLD50 units over 6 months at 5° C. Preferably, a composition according to the invention is considered stable if there is no more than 20% loss in MLD50 units over 2 months at 5° C., more preferably over 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 or 36 months at 5° C. According to another embodiment, a composition according to the invention is considered stable if there is no more than 40% loss in MLD50 units over 2 or 3 months at room temperature, for example at 25° C. Preferably, a composition according to the invention is considered stable if there is no more than 30% loss in MLD50 units over 3 months at 25° C., more preferably over 6 months at 25° C. According to another embodiment, a composition according to the invention is considered stable if there is no more than 50% loss in MLD50 units over 2 months at 37° C. MLD50 units can be measured as indicated above.

The liquid compositions according to the invention can be stored in sealed vials or syringes, for example glass vials or syringes, preferably type 1 (or “body neutral”) glass vials or syringes. Preferably there is no or very little oxygen in the vial or syringe. The vials or syringes can for example be filled in an atmosphere with an oxygen below 100 ppm, preferably below 50 ppm, and nitrogen gas can be used as a protective atmosphere in the vials. When glass vials are used, they can for example be capped with chlorobutyl or bromobutyl rubber stoppers, which can be FluroTec® coated stoppers. Preferably, the liquid compositions according to the invention are stored in glass vials capped with FluroTec® coated stoppers.

According to one embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   4 to 10000 LD50 units of botulinum neurotoxin per mL,     -   0.001 to 15% v/v polysorbate,     -   0.1 to 5 mg/mL tryptophan,     -   10 to 500 mM NaCl,     -   1 to 50 mM KCl,     -   1 to 100 mM Sodium phosphate, has a pH between 5.5 and 8, and is         stable for 6 months at 5° C.

According to one embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   10 to 2000 LD50 units of botulinum neurotoxin per mL,     -   0.005 to 2% v/v polysorbate,     -   0.1 to 5 mg/mL tryptophan,     -   25 to 300 mM NaCl,     -   1 to 10 mM KCl,     -   2 to 50 mM Sodium phosphate, has a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, and         is stable for 12 months at 5° C.

According to one embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   10 to 2000 LD50 units of botulinum neurotoxin per mL,     -   0.05 to 0.2% v/v polysorbate 80,     -   0.1 to 5 mg/mL tryptophan,     -   25 to 300 mM NaCl,     -   1 to 10 mM KCl,     -   2 to 50 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   has a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, and is stable for 12 months at 5°         C.

According to one embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin A,     -   0.2% v/v polysorbate 80,     -   1 mg/mL tryptophan     -   140 mM NaCl,     -   3 mM KCl,     -   10 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 6.6.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin A,     -   0.04% v/v polysorbate 80,     -   1 mg/mL tryptophan     -   140 mM NaCl,     -   3 mM KCl,     -   10 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 6.9.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin B,     -   0.25% v/v polysorbate 20,     -   4 mg/mL tryptophan     -   140 mM NaCl,     -   3 mM KCl,     -   10 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 7.4.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin A,     -   0.01% v/v polysorbate 80,     -   0.25 mg/mL tryptophan     -   255 mM NaCl,     -   2 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 7.2.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin A,     -   0.01% v/v polysorbate 80,     -   0.25 mg/mL tryptophan     -   255 mM NaCl,     -   10 mM KCl,     -   50 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 6.3.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin A,     -   1% v/v polysorbate 80,     -   0.25 mg/mL tryptophan     -   255 mM NaCl,     -   50 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 6.3.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin A,     -   1% v/v polysorbate 80,     -   3 mg/mL tryptophan     -   255 mM NaCl,     -   10 mM KCl,     -   50 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 7.2.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin A,     -   0.1% v/v polysorbate 80,     -   1.625 mg/mL tryptophan     -   140 mM NaCl,     -   3 mM KCl,     -   10 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 6.75.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin A,     -   0.01% v/v polysorbate 80,     -   1 mg/mL tryptophan     -   140 mM NaCl,     -   3 mM KCl,     -   10 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 6.75.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin A,     -   0.1% v/v polysorbate 80,     -   1 mg/mL tryptophan     -   140 mM NaCl,     -   3 mM KCl,     -   10 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 6.75.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin A,     -   1% v/v polysorbate 80,     -   1 mg/mL tryptophan     -   140 mM NaCl,     -   3 mM KCl,     -   10 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 6.75.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin B,     -   15% v/v polysorbate 20,     -   1 mg/mL tryptophan     -   140 mM NaCl,     -   3 mM KCl,     -   10 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 7.4.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin B,     -   15% v/v polysorbate 20,     -   4 mg/mL tryptophan     -   140 mM NaCl,     -   3 mM KCl,     -   10 mM Sodium phosphate,     -   wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 7.4.

According to another embodiment, a liquid composition according to the invention comprises or consists essentially of:

-   -   Botulinum neurotoxin B,     -   0.25% v/v polysorbate 20,     -   4 mg/mL tryptophan     -   140 mM NaCl,     -   3 mM KCl,     -   10 mM Sodium phosphate,

wherein the pH of said composition is approximately 7.4.

Another aspect is the use of the liquid compositions according to the invention in therapy. The liquid compositions according to the invention can be used in therapy to treat or prevent muscular disorders, neuromuscular disorders, neurological disorders, ophtalmological disorders, pain disorders, psychological disorders, articular disorders, inflammatory disorders, endocrine disorders or urological disorders.

For example, the liquid compositions according to the invention can be used for treating or preventing a disease, condition or syndrome selected from the following:

-   -   ophtalmological disorders selected from the group consisting of         blepharospasm, strabismus (including restrictive or myogenic         strabismus), amblyopia, oscillopsia, protective ptosis,         therapeutic ptosis for corneal protection, nystagmus, estropia,         diplopia, entropion, eyelid retraction, orbital myopathy,         heterophoria, concomitant misalignment, nonconcomitant         misalignment, primary or secondary esotropia or exotropia,         internuclear ophthalmoplegia, skew deviation, Duane's syndrome         and upper eyelid retraction;     -   movement disorders including hemifacial spasm, torticollis,         spasticity of the child or of the adult (e.g. in cerebral palsy,         post-stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury or         spinal cord injury patients), idiopathic focal dystonias, muscle         stiffness, Writer's cramp, hand dystonia, VI nerve palsy,         oromandibular dystonia, head tremor, tardive dyskinesia, tardive         dystonia, occupational cramps (including musicians' cramp),         facial nerve palsy, jaw closing spasm, facial spasm, synkinesia,         tremor, primary writing tremor, myoclonus,         stiff-person-syndrome, foot dystonia, facial paralysis,         painful-arm-and-moving-fingers-syndrome, tic disorders, dystonic         tics, Tourette's syndrome, neuromyotonia, trembling chin,         lateral rectus palsy, dystonic foot inversion, jaw dystonia,         Rabbit syndrome, cerebellar tremor, Iii nerve palsy, palatal         myoclonus, akasthesia, muscle cramps, IV nerve palsy,         freezing-of-gait, extensor truncal dystonia, post-facial nerve         palsy synkinesis, secondary dystonia, Parkinson's disease,         Huntington's chorea, epilepsy, off period dystonia, cephalic         tetanus, myokymia and benign cramp-fasciculation syndrome;     -   otorhinolaryngological disorders including spasmodic dysphonia,         otic disorders, hearing impairment, ear click, tinnitus,         vertigo, Meniere's disease, cochlear nerve dysfunction,         stuttering, cricopharyngeal dysphagia, bruxism, closure of         larynx in chronic aspiration, vocal fold granuloma, ventricular         dystonia, ventricular dysphonia, mutational dysphonia, trismus,         snoring, voice tremor, aspiration, tongue protrusion dystonia,         palatal tremor, deep bite of lip and laryngeal dystonia; First         Bite Syndrome;     -   gastrointestinal disorders including achalasia, anal fissure,         constipation, temperomandibular joint dysfunction, sphincter of         Oddi dysfunction, sustained sphincter of Oddi hypertension,         intestinal muscle disorders, puborectalis syndrome, anismus,         pyloric spasm, gall bladder dysfunction, gastrointestinal or         oesophageal motility dysfunction, diffuse oesophageal spasm and         gastroparesis;     -   urogenital disorders including detrusor sphincter dyssynergia,         detrusor hyperreflexia, neurogenic bladder dysfunction (e.g. in         Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, stroke or multiple         sclerosis patients), overactive bladder, neurogenic detrusor         overactivity, bladder spasms, urinary incontinence, urinary         retention, hypertrophied bladder neck, voiding dysfunction,         interstitial cystitis, vaginismus, endometriosis, pelvic pain,         prostate gland enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia),         prostatodynia, prostate cancer and priapism;     -   dermatological disorders including cutaneous cell proliferative         disorders, skin wounds, psoriasis, rosacea, acne; rare         hereditary skin disorders such as Fox-Fordyce syndrome or         Hailey-Hailey disease; keloid and hypertrophic scar reduction;         pore size reduction; inflammatory conditions of the skin;         painful inflammatory conditions of the skin;     -   pain disorders including back pain (upper back pain, lower back         pain), myofascial pain, tension headache, fibromyalgia, painful         syndromes, myalgia, migraine, whiplash, joint pain,         post-operative pain, pain not associated with a muscle spasm and         pain associated with smooth muscle disorders;     -   inflammatory disorders including pancreatitis, neurogenic         inflammatory disorders (including gout, tendonitis, bursitis,         dermatomyositis and ankylosing spondylitis);     -   secretory disorders such as excessive gland secretions,         hyperhidrosis (including axillary hyperhidrosis, palmar         hyperhidrosis and Frey's syndrome), hypersalivation,         sialorrhoea, bromhidrosis, mucus hypersecretion,         hyperlacrimation, holocrine gland dysfunction; excess sebum         secretion;     -   respiratory disorders including rhinitis (including allergic         rhinitis), COPD, asthma and tuberculosis;     -   hypertrophic disorders including muscle enlargement, masseteric         hypertrophy, acromegaly and neurogenic tibialis anterior         hypertrophy with myalgia;     -   articular disorders including tennis elbow (or epicondilytis of         the elbow), inflammation of joints, coxarthrosis,         osteoarthritis, rotator muscle cap pathology of the shoulder,         rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome;     -   endocrine disorders like type 2 diabetes, hyperglucagonism,         hyperinsulinism, hypoinsulinism, hypercalcemia, hypocalcemia,         thyroid disorders (including Grave's disease, thyroiditis,         Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism),         parathyroid disorders (including hyperparathyroidism and         hypoparathyroidism), Gushing's syndrome and obesity;     -   autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythemotosus;     -   proliferative diseases including paraganglioma tumors, prostate         cancer and bone tumors;     -   traumatic injuries including sports injuries, muscle injuries,         tendon wounds and bone fractures; and     -   veterinary uses (e.g. immobilisation of mammals, equine colic,         animal achalasia or animal muscle spasms).

The liquid compositions according to the invention can also be used in aesthetic medicine (that is for improving cosmetic appearance), in particular for treating or preventing skin wrinkles, in particular facial wrinkles such as facial frown lines, wrinkles of the contour of the eye, glabellar frown lines, downturned mouth, wrinkles of the neck (platysmal bands), wrinkles of the chin (mentalis, peau d'orange, dimpled chin), forehead lines, “scratched skin” wrinkles, nasal lift treatment or sleep lines. According to this aspect of the invention, the subject to be treated or prevented for improving cosmetic appearance is preferably not suffering from any of the disorders, conditions or syndromes that are described above. More preferably, said subject is a healthy subject (i.e. not suffering from any disease, condition or syndrome).

The liquid compositions according to the invention can be used in combination with another therapeutic compound. In one embodiment the liquid compositions according to the invention is administered in combination with an analgesic compound for treating pain, in particular in combination with an opioid derivative such as morphine as described in WO 2007/144493 the content of which is herein incorporated by reference. In another embodiment, the liquid compositions according to the invention is administered in combination with hyaluronic acid, for example for treating prostate cancer as described in WO 2015/0444416 the content of which is herein incorporated by reference.

A further aspect of the present invention is the use of an amino acid selected from tryptophan and tyrosine to protect a proteinaceous neurotoxin from degradation in a liquid composition which is free of animal derived proteins.

According to a preferred embodiment, the amino acid is tryptophan, more preferably L-tryptophan.

Preferably, the proteinaceous neurotoxin is a botulinum neurotoxin. According to an embodiment of the invention, the botulinum neurotoxin is a botulinum neurotoxin in complex form. According to another embodiment, the botulinum neurotoxin is a high purity botulinum neurotoxin. According to an embodiment of the invention, the botulinum neurotoxin is a botulinum neurotoxin purified from its natural clostridial strain. According to another embodiment, botulinum neurotoxin is a botulinum neurotoxin produced recombinantly in a heterologous host such as E. COIL According to the present invention, the Botulinum neurotoxin can be a BoNT of serotype A, B, C, D, E, For G. According to the present invention, a botulinum neurotoxin can be a modified botulinum neurotoxin as described above. According to the present invention, a recombinant botulinum neurotoxin can be a chimeric botulinum neurotoxin as described above.

According to a preferred embodiment, the amino acid is used in combination with a surfactant and a buffer comprising sodium, chloride and phosphate ions, and the liquid composition has a pH between 5.5 and 8. Preferably, the surfactant is a non-ionic surfactant, more preferably a polysorbate, for example PS20, PS60 or PS80. Most preferably, the non-ionic surfactant is PS80. Preferably, the buffer also comprises potassium ions. The buffer can for example be obtained by combining sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium phosphate salts. According to a preferred embodiment, the pH is between 6.0 and 7.5, for example 6.3, 6.35, 6.4, 6.45, 6.5, 6.55, 6.6, 6.65, 6.7, 6.75, 6.8, 6.85, 6.9, 6.95, 7.0, 7.05, 7.1, 7.15, 7.2, 7.25, 7.3, 7.35, 7.4, 7.45 or 7.5. Preferably the pH is within one unit from physiological pH (which is around 7.4).

According to a preferred embodiment of the use according to the invention, the liquid composition is stable for 2 months. For example, it is stable for 2 months at 2 to 8° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 3 months at 2 to 8° C., for example at 5° C. According to a preferred embodiment, it is stable for 6 months at 2 to 8° C., for example at 5° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 12 months at 2 to 8° C., for example at 5° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 18 months at 2 to 8° C., for example at 5° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 24 months at 2 to 8° C., for example at 5° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 36 months at 2 to 8° C., for example at 5° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 3 months at room temperature, for example at 25° C. According to one embodiment, it is stable for 6 months at room temperature, for example at 25° C.

EXAMPLES

1. Preparation of Stable Liquid Botulinum Toxin A Formulations

Liquid botulinum toxin preparations containing 15 ng/mL of highly purified BoNT/A, 15% v/v polysorbate 20, an amino acid selected from tyrosine (Tyr), tryptophan (Trp) and cysteine (Cys) or a mixture of methionine (Met), tyrosine (Tyr), tryptophan (Trp) and cysteine (Cys) (Sigma Aldrich), and Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS from Calbiochem) (140 mM NaCl, 10 mM sodium phosphate and 3 mM KCl at pH 7.4 at 25° C.) were prepared, filtered using 0.22 μm PVDF (polyvinylidenflourid) filters and stored in siliconized 2 mL glass syringes for 6 days at 40° C., after which a potency test was performed for each preparation.

For the potency test, the syringes containing the preparations were emptied in 2 mL glass vials (Chromacol, Gold) with lids containing PTFE treated rubber septa (Chromacol) or in 1.7 mL plastic micro centrifuge tubes (Axygen, Maximum Recovery) which both have low protein adsorption properties. The preparations were subsequently diluted using 0.9% NaCl solution with 3% human serum albumin (HSA). For each preparation, 50 μL of sample was injected into the Gastrocnemius muscle of mice on the same day as the dilution was performed. The mice were monitored for 3 days and the degree of paralysis was recorded.

The results are shown in table 1.

TABLE 1 an accelerated storage test (6 days at 40° C.) of amino acid additions on BoNT/A stability. Paralysis results in mice: - = not analysed, WN = without note, PA = paralysis and † = death. Formulation Potency test Potency rating Buffer BoNT/ Amino Dilution Inj. Day Day Day 3 A acid in 0.9 Dose 1 2 conc. NaCl (ng) with 3% HSA (times) PBS pH 15 ng/ Trp 0.25  2 x 0.25 — — WN 7.4 15% mL mg/mL + 20 x 0.025 — — WN poly- Cys 0.25 sorbate mg/mL + 20 Met 0.25 mg/mL + Tyr 0.25 mg/mL Cys 1  2 x 0.25 — — WN mg/mL 20 x 0.025 — — WN Tyr 0.74  2 x 0.25 — — Sharp mg/mL PA whole abdomen 20 x 0.025 — — WN Trp 1  2 x 0.25 — † mg/mL 20 x 0.025 — — WN —  2 x 0.25 — — WN 20 x 0.025 — — WN

Tyrosine and tryptophan were found to have a protective effect against BoNT/A degradation. Tryptophan was found to have the strongest protective effect. Cysteine, as well as the mixture containing all 4 amino acids did not have a protective effect.

2. Preparation of a Stable Liquid Botulinum Toxin B Formulation

Liquid botulinum toxin preparations containing 350 ng/mL of highly purified BoNT/B, 15% v/v polysorbate 20, an amino acid selected from tyrosine (Tyr), tryptophan (Trp) and cysteine (Cys) or a mixture of methionine (Met), tyrosine (Tyr), tryptophan (Trp) and cysteine (Cys), and Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) at pH 7.4 were prepared, filtered using 0.22 μm filters and stored in siliconized 2 mL glass syringes for two weeks at 40° C., after which a potency test was performed for each preparation as described above.

The results are shown in table 2.

TABLE 2 an accelerated storage test (two weeks at 40° C.) of amino acid additions on BoNT/B stability. Paralysis results in mice: - = not analysed, WN = without note, PA = paralysis and † = death. Potency test Formulation Dilution in Inj. Potency rating BoNT/ 0.9 NaCl Dose Day Day B Amino with 3% Buffer cone. acid HSA (times) (ng) 1 2 Day 3 PBS 350 Trp 0.25 10 x 1.75 — — PA pH 7.4 ng/mL mg/mL + 15% Cys 0.25 poly- mg/mL + sorbate Met 0.25 20 mg/mL + Tyr 0.25 mg/mL Cys 1 mg/mL 10 x 1.75 — — PA Tyr 0.575 10 x 1.75 — † mg/mL 10 x 1.75 — † Trp 1 35 x 0.5 — — PA mg/mL

Tyrosine and tryptophan were found to have a protective effect against BoNT/B degradation. Cysteine, as well as the mixture containing all 4 amino acids also had a protective effect but to a weaker extent.

3. Evaluation of Different Concentrations of Tryptophan and Polysorbate 20

Liquid botulinum toxin preparations containing highly purified BoNT/A or BoNT/B and various concentrations of polysorbate 20 (PS 20) and tryptophan and Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) at pH 7.4 were prepared, filtered using 0.22 μm filters and stored in siliconized 2 mL glass syringes. Hind limb paralysis potency tests were performed for each preparation as described above.

The results are shown in table 3.

TABLE 3 evaluation of Trp and polysorbate 20 (PS20) concentrations on BoNT/A or BoNT/B stability. Paralysis results in mice: - =not analysed, W N = without note, PA = paralysis and † = death. POTENCY TESTING Dilution Potency rating (1-3 d) for samples stored Formulation in 0.9 at different temperatures and lengths BoNT Trp NaCl with Inj. 5° C. 25° C. cone. (mg/ PS20 3% HSA Dose 6 months 5 weeks 4 months BoNT (ng/mL) mL) (%) (times) (ng) 1 d 2 d 3 d 1 d 2 d 3 d 1 d 2 d 3 d BoNT/ 15 8 15  1 x 0.75 — † — — † — — PA A  5 x 0.15 — — † — — † — — WN 15 8 0.25  1 x 0.75 — † — — †* — — †  5 x 0.15 — — † — †* — — W N² 15 1 15  1 x 0.75 — † — † †  5 x 0.15 — — † — — † — † PA³ BoNT/ 100 8 15  1 x 5 — — † — — † — — PA B 10 x 0.5 — — PA¹ — — PA — — PA 100 8 0.25  1 x 5 — — † — — † † 10 x 0.5 — — PA⁴ — — W N¹ — — PA 100 1 15  1 x 5 — — † — — † † 10 x 0.5 — — PA⁴ — PA — — PA Paraysis degree (PA): 1. Toes affected; 2. Slightly numb in hind eg; 3. Both hind legs paralysed; 4. Hind leg paralysed; Elution buffer from purification (5): 50 m M sodium acetate pH 4.5 with 0.2% (v:v) polysorbate 20 and 400 mM sodium chloride. * a mix up of two BoNT/A dilutions of the 25 °C. 8mg/mL Trp 0.25 % polysorbate 20 has probably occurred.

4. Evaluation of Different Salt Concentrations in BoNT/B Preparations

Liquid botulinum toxin preparations containing 100 ng/mL of highly purified BoNT/B, polysorbate 20, tryptophan from various amino acid suppliers and a buffer selected from PBS pH 7.4 (Cal biochem), 12 nM phosphate buffer pH 7 (Apoteket) and 20 mM sodium acetate (NaAc) pH 5.5 (NaAc from Fluka and acetic acid from Merck) were prepared, filtered using 0.22 μm filters and stored in siliconized 2 mL glass syringes. Hind limb paralysis potency tests were performed for each preparation as described above.

The results are shown in table 4.

TABLE 4 evaluation of different salt concentrations on stability of BoNT/B. Paralysis results in mice: - = not analysed, W N = without note, PA = paralysis and † = death. Potency testing Potency rating (1-3d) Dilution for samples stored in 0.9 at different length BoNT/B Trp NaCI with Inj. 40° C. conc. manufacturer PS20 3% HSA Dose 2 weeks 5 weeks (ng/mL) Buffer and conc. (%) (times) (ng) 1 d 2 d 3 d 1 d 2 d 3 d 100 PBS Ajinomoto 15  1 x 5 — † pH 7.4 4 mg/mL 10 x 0.5 — — PA 100 PBS Sigma 15  1 x 5 — † pH 7.4 Aldrich 10 x 0.5 — — PA 4 mg/mL 100 PBS Sigma 15  1 x 5 — † pH 7.4 Aldrich 10 x 0.5 — — PA 1 mg/mL 100 PBS Sigma 0.25  1 x 5 — † — † pH 7.4 Aldrich 10 x 0.5 — — PA — — PA² 4 mg/mL 100 12 mM Sigma 15  1 x 5 — — WN Phosphate Aldrich 10 x 0.5 — — WN¹ pH 7 4 mg/mL 100 20 mM Sigma 15  1 x 5 — — PA NaAc Aldrich 10 x 0.5 — — PA pH 5.5 4 mg/mL 1. Some loss of function: 2. Weak paralysis

The results show that the preparations containing the PBS buffer (containing sodium, chloride, phosphate and potassium ions) appears to play a role in the stability of the botulinum toxin.

5. Evaluation of Different Stabilizers

Liquid botulinum toxin preparations containing 15 ng/mL of highly purified BoNT/A, a polysorbate 20 (PS20) or polysorbate 80 (PS80) or HSA, tryptophan and PBS were prepared, filtered using 0.22 μm filters and stored in siliconized 2 mL glass syringes. Hind limb paralysis potency tests were performed for each preparation as described above.

The results are shown in table 5.

TABLE 5 evaluation of different surfactants on stability of BoNT/A. Paralysis results in mice: - = not analysed, W N = without note, PA = paralysis and † = death. Potency testing Potency rating (1-3 d) for samples Dilution in stored at different length BoNT/A 0.9 NaCl with Inj. 40° C. conc. 3% HSA Dose 6 days 4 weeks 3 months (ng/mL) Buffer Trp Stabiliser (times) (ng) 1 d 2 d 3 d 1 d 2 d 3 d 1 d 2 d 3 d 15 PBS 1 mg/ PS 80 1.7 x 0.45 † † — — PA³ pH 7.4 mL 0.25%  15 x 0.05 † † — — WA 15 PBS 1 mg/ PS 20 1.7 x 0.45 † † — — PA² pH 7.4 mL 0.25%  15 x 0.05 † — — PA — — WN 15 PBS — HSA 1.7 x 0.45 † † — † pH 7.4 1 mg/mL  15 x 0.05 † † — — PA¹ 1. Severe paralysis both hind legs; 2. Angles paws; 3. Severe paralysis

6. Evaluation of Different Formulations

Liquid botulinum toxin preparations containing 10 ng/mL of highly purified BoNT/A, 0.25% PS80, 1 mg/mL tryptophan and PBS were prepared as described above. The pH was adjusted to 6.6 and 7.0 by adding HCl. Each preparation was stored 5 weeks at 40° C.

Each preparation was then diluted 10 times and hind limb paralysis potency tests were performed as described above (0.05 ng per injection). In both cases, hind limb paralysis was observed at day 3. The paralysis was stronger with the pH 6.6 preparation.

7. Evaluation of Different Formulations

Liquid botulinum toxin preparations containing 0.3 ng/mL of highly purified BoNT/A, a polysorbate selected from PS20 and PS80, 1 mg/mL tryptophan and 12 mM PBS at pH 7.4 were prepared as described above. The pH of each preparation was adjusted to pH 6.6 or 6.9 by adding 1.2 M HCl.

Polysorbate 20 was tested at one concentration, 0.2% w/v, corresponding to about 20 times its CMC (critical micellar concentration, about 0.01% w/v at 21° C.). Polysorbate 80 was tested 0.04% and 0.2% w/v, corresponding respectively to about 20 and 100 times its CMC (about 0.002% w/v at 21° C.).

TABLE 6 Choice of polysorbate and pH Composition PS20 % w/v PS20 % w/v pH PS20-1 0.2 — 6.6 PS20-2 0.2 — 6.9 PS80-1 — 0.04 6.6 PS80-2 — 0.04 6.9 PS80-3 — 0.2 6.6

For each preparation, a volume of 0.5 mL was filled in 1 mL long glass syringes (BD) and sealed with a fluorocarbon coated plunger.

The potency was measured by hind limb paralysis test on mice as described above.

No decrease in potency was observed in any formulation after 6 months storage at 5° C. and after 25° C.

8. Evaluation of Different Formulations

Nineteen different formulations containing highly purified botulinum neurotoxin type A were prepared with varying concentrations of polysorbate 80, tryptophan, sodium phosphate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride and varying pH. Each formulation had a target nominal potency of 500 U/mL. Each formulation was degassed, filtered through 0.2 μm filter and filled into vials. Nitrogen gas was used as a protective atmosphere in the vials. The filling was performed in an anaerobic chamber. Each formulation was filled in 1 mL aliquots in a nitrogen atmosphere in 2 mL glass vials capped with FluroTec® stoppers sealed with aluminium flip off seals and stored upright.

The stability of the 19 formulations was assessed at 5° C., 25° C. and 37° C. using BoTest to measure potency.

TABLE 7 Excipient compositions Sodium Exp phosphate Tryptophan Polysorbate NaCl KCl Name PH (mM) (mg/mL) 80 (v %) (mM) (mM) N1  6.3 2 0.25 0.01 25 0 N2  7.2 2 0.25 0.01 255 0 N3  6.3 50 0.25 0.01 255 10 N4  7.2 50 0.25 0.01 25 10 N5  6.3 2 3 0.01 255 10 N6  7.2 2 3 0.01 25 10 N7  6.3 50 3 0.01 25 0 N8  7.2 50 3 0.01 255 0 N9  6.3 2 0.25 1 25 10 N10 7.2 2 0.25 1 255 10 N11 6.3 50 0.25 1 255 0 N12 7.2 50 0.25 1 25 0 N13 6.3 2 3 1 255 0 N14 7.2 2 3 1 25 0 N15 6.3 50 3 1 25 10 N16 7.2 50 3 1 255 10 N17 6.75 10 1.625 0.1 140 3

TABLE 8 Packaging components Article number, Article Supplier Clear glass vial of boro silicate 1097221, Schott Type I plus, 2 mL Grey Flurotec coated bromobutyl 1356 4023/50, West stopper Westar RS, 13 mm Aluminium flip off seals, 13 mm 5920-6623, West

For all formulations the solution remained clear and for most parts colourless.

The excipients concentrations tested in this study seem not to affect the pH of the formulations during the time interval tested. The potency results are presented in table 9.

TABLE 9 Botest potency results Remaining potency Baseline compared to base line potency (BoTest) (U/mL) 2 month's 6 month's 6 months (Botest) 37° C. 25° C. 5° C. pH 0 month U/mL % U/mL % U/mL % N1  6.3 86 0 0 0 0 39 45 N2  7.2 474 210 44 389 82 485 102 N3  6.3 449 288 64 406 90 512 114 N4  7.2 299 62 21 368 123 406 136 N5  6.3 378 263 70 385 102 422 112 N6  7.2 93 0 0 0 0 52 56 N7  6.3 238 0 0 0 0 239 100 N8  7.2 375 305 81 402 107 450 120 N9  6.3 196 0 0 100 51 294 150 N10 7.2 354 201 57 408 115 411 116 N11 6.3 438 197 45 372 85 492 112 N12 7.2 411 96 23 295 72 417 101 N13 6.3 304 185 61 403 133 416 137 N14 7.2 206 0 0 0 0 183 89 N15 6.3 197 155 79 231 117 214 109 N16 7.2 476 227 48 390 82 685 144 N17 6.75 402 250 62 286 71 488 121

For several compositions there was no more than 30% loss in potency over 6 months at 5° C. and/or no more than about 40% loss in potency over 3 months at 25° C. and/or no more than about 50% loss in potency over 2 months at 37° C.

9. Evaluation of PS 60

A formulation containing highly purified botulinum neurotoxin type A was prepared with 0.1% (v/v) PS60, 1 mg/mL L-Tryptophan, 10 mM sodium phosphate, 140 mM sodium chloride, 3 mM potassium chloride and water for injection. The pH was adjusted to 6.75 with HCl. The formulation had a target nominal potency of 100 U/mL. The formulation was degassed, filtered through 0.2 μm filters and filled into 2 mL vials aseptically in an anaerobic chamber with nitrogen atmosphere with a fill volume of 1 mL. Nitrogen gas was used as protective atmosphere in the vials. The vials were capped with FluroTec® stoppers sealed with aluminium flip off seals.

TABLE 10 Packaging components Article number, Article Supplier Clear glass vial of boro silicate 1097221, Schott Type I plus, 2 mL 13 mm Inj stopper coated bromobutyl INJ13TB3WRS, 4023-50 grey Nordic Pack Blue aluminium flip off seals, 13 mm 5920-1164, Nordic Pack

The potency over time at 37° C. and 25° C. was measured by the MLD50 test as described herein.

At 37° C., the remaining potency after 9 weeks was around 50-55% of the initial potency.

At 25° C., the remaining potency after 3 months was about 80% of the initial potency. 

1. A liquid composition comprising a proteinaceous neurotoxin, a surfactant, an amino acid selected from tryptophan and tyrosine, a buffer comprising sodium, chloride and phosphate ions, wherein said liquid composition has a pH between 5.5 and 8, wherein said composition is free of animal derived proteins, and wherein said liquid composition is stable over time.
 2. A liquid composition according to claim 1, wherein said surfactant is a non-ionic surfactant.
 3. A liquid composition according to claim 2, wherein said non-ionic surfactant is a polysorbate, preferably Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60 or Polysorbate
 80. 4. A liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said amino acid is tryptophan, preferably L-tryptophan.
 5. A liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said buffer further comprises potassium ions.
 6. A liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said composition has a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
 7. A liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein no more than 30% loss in extracellular proteolytic activity occurs over 2, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 or 36 months at 5° C.
 8. A liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said proteinaceous neurotoxin is a botulinum neurotoxin, selected from a natural botulinum neurotoxin in complex form, a high purity natural botulinum neurotoxin and a recombinant botulinum neurotoxin.
 9. A liquid composition according to claim 8, wherein said botulinum neurotoxin is a recombinant botulinum neurotoxin selected from a botulinum neurotoxin A, B, C, D, E, For G, a modified botulinum neurotoxin and a chimeric botulinum neurotoxin.
 10. A liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said liquid composition comprises: 4 to 10000 LD50 units of botulinum neurotoxin per mL, 0.001 to 15% v/v polysorbate, 0.1 to 5 mg/mL tryptophan, 10 to 500 mM NaCl, 1 to 50 mM KCl, 1 to 100 mM Sodium phosphate, has a pH between 5.5 and 8, and is stable for 6 months at 5° C.
 11. A liquid composition according to claim 10, wherein said liquid composition comprises: 10 to 2000 LD50 units of botulinum neurotoxin per mL, 0.05 to 0.2% v/v polysorbate 80, 0.1 to 5 mg/mL tryptophan, 25 to 300 mM NaCl, 1 to 10 mM KCl, 2 to 50 mM Sodium phosphate, has a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, and is stable for 12 months at 5° C.
 12. A liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for use in therapy.
 13. A liquid composition according to claim 12 for use in treating or preventing muscular disorders, neuromuscular disorders, neurological disorders, ophthalmological disorders, pain disorders, psychological disorders, articular disorders, inflammatory disorders, endocrine disorders or urological disorders.
 14. Use of liquid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in aesthetic medicine, for example for treating or preventing skin wrinkles, in particular facial wrinkles such as facial frown lines, wrinkles of the contour of the eye, glabellar frown lines, downturned mouth, wrinkles of the neck (platysmal bands), wrinkles of the chin (mentalis, peau d'orange, dimpled chin), forehead lines, “scratched skin” wrinkles, nasal lift treatment or sleep lines.
 15. Use of an amino acid selected from tryptophan and tyrosine to protect a proteinaceous neurotoxin from degradation in a liquid composition which is free of animal derived proteins.
 16. Use according to claim 15, wherein said amino acid is tryptophan.
 17. Use according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said proteinaceous neurotoxin is a botulinum neurotoxin.
 18. Use according to claim 15, wherein said amino acid is used in combination with a surfactant and a buffer comprising sodium, chloride and phosphate ions, and said liquid composition has a pH between 5.5 and
 8. 